Interesting Behaviors of Little Creatures

When insects and spiders feel irritated or shaken, they will curl up and keep still or fall from where they stay and play dead for a while, and then quickly run away. Playing dead is a defensive strategy used by insects to protect themselves when they are caught. Imagoes of weevils, ladybugs, and shield bugs can all play dead. Because predators or parasites usually pay no attention to dead prey or hosts, they may not detect creatures that are playing dead. Therefore, playing dead is an effective defensive strategy for many insects and spiders.

Ants and aphids are a model couple that lives in a mutually-beneficial way. Aphids provide ants with honeydew like cows provide shepherds with milk. And in reward, ants protect aphids from predators and parasites, just as shepherds protect cows. In nature, aphids suck plant sap and obtain the amino acids they need from it. Because the plant sap is low in amino acids but high in sugar, aphids need to expel excessive sugar. The sweet “egesta” is a delicious meal for ants. Therefore, ants will try their best to protect weak aphids from their enemies such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps. Thanks to ants’ care, the aphids can rapidly grow in quantity.